The Snail Without a Shell

"You really should go back for a visit."

Sir Friedman's reply to Sephrano was slick. "Ever since the Xiangqi Society rose in the rankings, you seem to have grown lax about the work the Blood Fellowship assigned you... Especially during this year's Moon Hunt. I hear you and Neville worked together and made nearly three thousand Jade Coins. A lot of our brothers are waiting for a share."

Sephrano raised his eyebrows, as if something had clicked.

He finally understood what the Blood Fellowship wanted. Thanks to some clever maneuvering, the Moon Hunt betting had brought in nearly three thousand Jade Coins this year—more than half the assets of a small Wizard Family! Even the Blood Fellowship, which had once turned up its nose at "dirty money," could not help coveting a prize that large.

The old association had rotted after all. Perhaps it needed to tear itself down and rebuild, as Will and Judgement had, before it could rise from the ashes. Sephrano pondered this in silence and sighed to himself.

Of course, he would not say any of that to Friedman.

"Speaking of betting, I thought you'd bring Sima Yi... He caused us a great deal of trouble in this year's hunt." Sephrano changed the subject, studying Friedman before glancing at Matthew. "Did you leave Sima behind because his surname is Sima, not Cullen?"

Matthew's heart jolted, and he quietly swallowed.

The Fat Wizard's insight stunned him. Before bringing him here, Friedman had said something remarkably similar.

The young vampire stole a glance at his cousin.

He had noticed something unsettling: whenever his cousin faced this fat man, he seemed to give ground, just a little. The thought startled him so badly that he shook his head hard, as though he could shake it loose.

Sir Friedman gave